Violent arrest of teen not on: sister

THE sister of an indigenous NSW teenager who had his legs kicked out from beneath him while being arrested says children shouldn’t be mistreated because they’re being “lippy”.

Police are investigating after the 16-year-old was taken to hospital with minor injuries following his arrest on Monday at a Surry Hills park in inner Sydney. NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller yesterday admitted there were “other ways” the officer could have dealt with the matter, rather than a leg sweep.

He said the officer in question had worked in the force for 3½ years, had no record of complaints and probably regretted the manner of arrest.

The teenager allegedly told a male police officer “I’ll crack you in the f***ing jaw, bro” before he was swept to the ground. The teen was later released without charge.

“This is a case of two things – is it reasonable for someone to swear and threaten a police officer? And then, is the force the officer used reasonable?” Mr Fuller said.

“I don’t know what happened before, in terms of the lead-up, but there were probably other ways the officer could have dealt with that matter, no doubt.”

Footage of the arrest was captured on a mobile phone and posted on social media.

After being threatened, the officer can be seen telling the teenager to turn around and put his hands behind his back.

He then kicks the young man’s legs out from beneath him and handcuffs him while pinning him to the ground.

A bystander can be heard yelling: “You just slammed him on his face. He’s in pain.”

The teen’s sister, Ali Mongta-Finn, told the ABC on Tuesday her brother was distraught and his teeth were chipped.

“When he came back home later that night, he was shaken up,” Ms Mongta-Finn said.

“He was very sore this morning and he was distraught. Teenagers, they’re lippy, but you don’t just abuse children because they’re lippy.”

NSW Police on Tuesday said Professional Standards was investigating and the constable involved had been placed on restricted duties.

Police Minister David Elliott yesterday said Sydney “was not Minnesota”, referencing the death of George Floyd in US police hands in Minneapolis on May 25.